For those who are not aware, Caffe Bene is originally from South Korea.

Unlike their Eastwood branch wherein they have a two storey cafe, they have a smaller branch here in SMX. More like Caffe Bene corner in this Convention Center.

I was looking forward for their choco banana bread only to find out that they don't serve those kind of breads in this branch. But it's okay since I have frappes and gelatos to choose from. And? I chose gelato.

Here are the flavors:

Green tea, chocolate, blueberry, lemon, strawberry,vanilla, yogurt, espresso and cream cheese. I don't think I missed any.Just like your regular gelato store, you can ask for a free taste to help you choose.

I was torn between yogurt and blueberry since it's given that I'd have matcha/ green tea as the other flavor.

One flavor: P 95.00Two flavors: P 155.00

Ended up ordering green tea and blueberry flavors.

While my friend settled for yogurt and green tea.

As for the green tea, it's not that bitter. The creaminess and the matcha taste was just right leaving no or not much bitter aftertaste.

Well, it was okay paired (since hindi naman talaga sunog lahat) with this rice and atchara but I just felt that it lacks something I can't point out. Sige na nga, it was served without love. AYUN OH. HAHAHAHA.

I got this sample sachet of Tomatox Magic White Massage Pack a few months ago.

I never believed those commercials, especially with whitening lotions, that promise immediate results. How is that even possible? Like applying the product and you're instantly a tone fairer. But this product proved me wrong.

I can understand a little Korean so I can translate this roughly for you.

After washing your face, pat it dry.Apply this packMassage for 1-2 minutesLeave it on for another 5-10 minutesRinse.

Shems. Na-nosebleed ako dun ah. Haha

EXCUSE MY FACE:

I really need that push when it comes to reviewing cosmetic products since I have to post my pictures.

진짜 예쁘지? 그지?

아니?뭐??

죽을래?

The consistency of the pack is like a glue so spreading and massaging it on your face can be quite challenging. Challenging talaga.

The first picture was taken indoor and that is my real skin color. Hindi naman talaga ko maputi eh. This picture is taken also indoor but there's sunlight so I think that's the reason why I look a lot fairer in this picture. My mistake was not taking a picture after I rinsed the product off. Oh wells papels.

What I liked about this is the immediate brightness and lightness it gave (Parang nage-edit lang ng picture, contrast brightness ganyan haha). Not only that since it also made my skin smoother, clearer and detoxified. Ayyy pwede na ba mag beauty blogger? hahahaha.

With other face packs (though I don't use any on a regular basis) you'll have to wait for a certain period of time or use it for a certain number of times before actually seeing results but with this? Instant results. Though not permanent, at least you're assured of results di ba?

Even fairer skin in this picture I took near the window.Notice that my pimple scars aren't visible too and it has also managed to minimize my pores.

The whitening effect only lasted for two days but since it can be used every after 2-3 days, okay lang.

Did this work?Definitely.

This is priced P 548.00 according to Tonly Moly Philippines' website.

Btw, here's a discription I also got from their site:Massage cream & pack with instant brightening effects, Hydration & protection to maintain a healthy skin, Whitening & detox, Anti-oxidants prevent aging.Oh em, prevents aging. Let's give this to Cheon Seong Yi of 별에서 온 그대 then. She needs this too! hahaha. Anyway, I'll miss Do Min Joon Ssi. I'll watch "My Love From Another Star" last episode after I update this blog with two more posts. I cry.Contains: Tomato extract / Lemon extract / Kiwi extract/ White tea extract / Pearl Powder Recommended for: Skin that doesn’t go well with makeup, People who don’t have time for a pack at night Directions: Apply sufficient amount, avoiding the eyes and lips, massage for 1~2 min, and wait for 5~10 min. After that, wash off with lukewarm water.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

This is my first time trying out this ice cream shop despite seeing its other branch in Robinson's Magnolia for a lot of times already. I've known Magnolia ice cream all my life. Classic na 'yan eh. Although the original ice cream house is no way a part of my childhood, magnolia ice cream is. So in a way, nostalgic pa rin siguro. Hahahaha. Well, bata pa rin naman ako ngayon. Mas bata lang ako noon. DUHHHH.

Tbh, I don't have great expectations with this ice cream parlor since I know the taste of their ice cream already. Magkakaiba na lang 'yan sa presentation and mix and match of different flavors and toppings and of course, 'yung service.

Banana SplitP 240.00

I love that the banana is also covered in chocolate.I'm not into mango flavored ice cream but okay din 'yung combination ng chocolate and straweberry. Ano pa ba kasi bago dito?

I don't remember what was our instructions on how we wanted this to be done but it's definitely not well done. Was it medium well? I don't know. All I know is that even if the taste and size is okay for its price, the meat or the tenderness was kind of a disappointment.

I love meats surrounding the bone. I've always thought that those areas usually have juicier and more tender meats.

The part that is left in this picture of my t-bone steak is my favorite but then since this was so hard to chew and slice, I just left it this way. Tskstk.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

It was in their description that Stackers burgers all have quarter pound patty and by looking at the picture of their burgers, what should I expect? I was expecting something bigger than what was served to us. That's it. I really can't say if our P 248.00 each was justified there. Okay, I guess not. Nahiya lang ako sabihin. Eee, sabi kasi craploads eh. Asa naman kami, 'di ba.

If we "dissect" the burger, I'd only like its bun and as a whole, it's okay. Nothing is special kind of okay so it's not that bad either. Pero masarap talaga 'yung bun ah....

One Sunday afternoon we thought of attending mass here at Regina Rica in Tanay. As in we were just having lunch and we were like,

"Darating ba tayo dun ng 3:30 kung aalis tayo ng 1 mamaya?"

Here's our spur of the moment trip to Tanay:

The travel was so long! When we reached Morong, we asked a tricycle driver if we were still far from Regina Rica and unexpectedly or expectedly, we were. We have no idea where it is aside from the information that it is near Camp Capinpin and it is along Marcos Highway. After around one and a half hour of non-stop driving, we started questioning ourselves on how we were able to come up with the decision to go there that afternoon. Sobrang bigla tas ang layo pala sobra. It was like travelling from Quezon City to Batangas kind of feel only this time, there's no convenience of SLEX and/or Star Tollway. We passed by barangay after barangay. No, actually it was municipality after municipality. Talk about driving through Antipolo, Teresa, Morong, Baras to Tanay. Don't get me wrong. I love long rides and I've always wanted to go and explore Rizal province, maybe because it was too sudden that the travel to Regina Rica was kind of draining. Wala kasing preparations, hapon na and even if we knew that we were in the right way, we couldn't estimate the time nor the distance of Regina Rica from where we were, medyo nakakapagod din 'yun.

*I remembered that I've passed by there for a few times already when I went to Pangil, Laguna and Quezon few years ago.

Anyway, when we saw the tarpaulin that said,"Regina Rica, straight ahead."

All my energy was restored. FINALLY.

Unfortunately, the mass was already more than halfway when we arrived but it's okay.

After the mass, there was Anointing of the Holy Oil and theirs is the most fragrant oil I've smelled ever. Too bad they don't sell it in their souvenir shop.

If you like to be Anointed too but can't travel to Tanay, they also have Anointing of Holy Oil in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel in Libis link: here.

Oh, and it was so sweet of the nuns to ask us, all the Regina Rica first-timers, to stand as they sang their welcome song. It's like the whole travel was worth it because of the hospitality they showed us. Plus, "Kaya kayo andito kasi tinawag kayo ni Mama Mary at nakinig kayo." And that answered why and how we come up with this super spontaneous idea of traveling there.

Thank You, Mama Mary for calling us that afternoon. Thank You for allowing us to spend an afternoon there at the slopes and mountains of Sierra Madre to relax and unwind... and for reminding me what I like doing the most, what excites me and what fascinates me.

The design of their altar.

View from the chapel.

I heard that there's an orientation in the morning because the place is huge. They even give out map of the area.

Are you "fit" enough to climb 308 steps that would lead you to this 71 feet tall statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary? If not, you don't have to worry if you can't reach the top of the hill by foot because there's a shuttle that would take you there for only P 5.00 per person.

And so we'd have the energy to climb, we ate here at their Pasilungan Restaurant first. Vegetarian and organic foods are available.

Here's what they were offering for that day.

Pasilungan is a self-service restaurant.

SpaghettiP 100.002-3 persons.

Mais Con Yelo

Souvenir Shop and Orientation Hall

Become a part of the S-trail by donating P 1000.00.I'd like to have my name there too!

Candles are color coded depending on what your prayers or thanksgivings are. And you'll also see my sexy silhouette in this picture. Baka sexy. hahaha

Stations of the cross scattered around the vicinity.

Outside view of the chapel.

I wasn't able to put watermark on the picture of the nipa huts which you can rent in case you'd want to have picnic there. I was also told that there are more to explore in that area like the hanging bridge and some animals like rabbits and monkey are available for viewing.

And then our driver was able to ask another driver of a shorter route (baka shorter nga) to home and!!!! Yes, there is. Although it also took us more than hour, mas okay since walang traffic and tuloy tuloy lang.

I was so amazed watching the sunset while driving through the zigzag road of Sierra Madre Mountain Range and overlooking Laguna Bay.

Someday, I'd like to experience staying in a resort there in Sierra Madre or better yet, experience mountain climbing (Hello, Daranak and Batlag falls din). I was too caught up in looking at the sceneries that I didn't notice that everyone in our car was already starting to get nervous as the sun started to set. Madami daw kasing NPA sa lugar na 'yun and that they may stop us anytime and steal or worse ma-hostage, pwede rin mawalan kami ng gas nang walang tindahan na madaanan o kotseng dadaan. Daming pwedeng mangyari pero habang andun kami, wala kong kaalam-alam na natatakot na sila. Thankfully, we got home safe.

I noticed that there were several military checkpoints in the area. Di ko alam kung dahil lang nandun 'yung Camp Capinpin o ano. I even saw something like Jungle Fighters, 2nd Infantry Division specializing in jungle warfare. Wala talaga kong naramdaman na takot whatsoever kahit may mga ganyan. All I know is that the view was breathtaking.

Today, February 14, 2014, is the opening of the 21st Travel Expo.I went there to window shop and snatch some freebies. Huhubells. Hindi naman masama magtingin ng iba't ibang vacation spots eh, malay natin!It would have been a lot better if we have the money to book us some domestic and international trips but then, we were left with no choice but to get some fliers of different tours and hope that someday we'd be able to go to all of those places too. :))

Malaysia BoothApparently, 2014 is "Visit Malaysia" year.And.. and that's the same backdrop they used last year.

We got a free brochure and Malaysia guidebook here since we have a scheduled flight to Kuala Lumpur in May. My "Someday Petronas Towers" line last year will be happening this year and I'm more than grateful. No problems please.I don't want to put this here yet but do you have suggestions regarding affordable accommodations, free attractions etc. in Malaysia and Singapore? We're currently in the process of choosing attractions for our itinerary. Please, please help a first timer. :))Travel Tour Expo 2013 link: here.

Of course, explore Philippines booth was there.I also got myself a map of Sagada, Banaue and Baguio just in case.Ours is divided into tables with different regions in each.

A temple in Thailand.

Spring Blossoms in Korea

And until now, Korea is still in the list of my dream destinations.

Did you know that Jeju Island in South Korea doesn't require a tourist visa? Yes, Jeju Island is visa-free even if South Korea requires it.OMG Teddy Bear Museum and Olle Gil/ Trail. Huhuhu. Someday. Huhuhu

I may have explored different places in Earth today through the pictures and some miniature version of their landmarks in different booths...

Still, no place can beat our homeland.

Batanes, you're also in my list!

Love the "Bakasyon mo, May meaning" of Bangon Tours.

Help rebuild calamity-stricken areas in the country by availing these tours offered by Bangon Tours.

네, 언젠가.Someday, Myeongdong.

.Most booths have packages such as cruises and pilgrimages worldwide, different airlines are also there selling discounted tickets. I think most of the tour packages being sold are offered at a lower price.And this has been it, my travel tour expo window shopping. Sana next year, shopping na talaga.

Travelling is a very expensive thing to do. Imagine saving up more than 100k only to spend everything on what? Less than 7 days of Europe trip. But I really, really, really believe that the money is not an issue here. If I can save that much for a trip, I wouldn't mind spending everything especially if the place is worth it. Keywords: IF I CAN. But you know what? I feel that I can, of course I can. hahahaha. Someday, world. For the meantime, claim lang ng claim ulit.Don't have the budget to join a European cruise? It's okay. Our country is very beautiful with so many places that are waiting to be explored.

Support local tourism. :) Maganda na, mas mura pa.

Go to this year's Travel Tour Expo and see these things for yourself.

February 14- 16, 2014 with an entrance fee of P 50.00 per person at SMX Convention Center."The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."Ilang pages kaya ang sa'kin, fairy god mother? :)))

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